Western Chalukya literature

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The reign of the Western Chalukyas (Kannada:ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಚಾಲುಕ್ಯರು) spanning the 10th century - 12th century period holds a pre-eminent place in the history of Kannada literature. They are also known as Kalyani Chalukyas or Later Chalukyas. Many important and enduring works were written. Some of the earliest works on secular subjects like erotics, medicine, sciences, lexicon, encyclopedia, general knowledge are attributed to their court poets. In a golden age of Kannada literature a unique and native form of poetry called Vachanas evolved. Sanskrit language literature also produced many famous works, especially on legal and scientific subjects.

Contents 1 Kannada 2 Sanskrit 3 Notes 4 References

[edit] Kannada

The Western Chalukyas patronised great Kannada language poets like Ranna who was the court poet of King Tailapa II and King Satyasraya.^[1][2] Ajitapurana (993) Chakeresvaracharita, Parashuramacharitha, Sahasa Bhima Vijaya (or Gada Yudda -982) and Ranna-Kanda are his famous writings. Ranna-Kanda (in which the verses end with Kavi ratna) is the earliest extant work in lexicons. He was bestowed the title "Emperor among poets" (Kavi Chakravathi) by his patron King Satyasraya.^[2][3]

Jagaddala Somanatha's Karnataka Kalyanakaraka, a translation of the Sanskrit writing Kalyanakaraka by Pujyapada is the earliest writing on medicine prescribing an entirely vegetarian and non-alcoholic treatment.^[4] Shridharacharya, a Jain Brahmin patronised by Somesvara I showed his ability to write on scientific subjects (Shastrakavita) in his writing on astrology called Jatakatilaka (1049) which is the earliest on astrology (Sastra-kavitva) in Kannada and Chandraprabhacharite on belles-lettres (Kavya-Kavitva).^[5][6] Chandraraja's Madanatilaka is the earliest champu style writing on erotics in Kannada. The book is written as a dialogue between the patron and his wife, in posakannada, the most modern Kannada in usage at the time^[7][5] He was under the patronage of Machiraja, feudatory of king Jayasimha II.^[6]

Nagavarma II was the poet laureate (Katakacharya) of king Jagadhekamalla II. Very few scholars in the history of Kannada literature have made contributions in as many subjects as Nagavarma II.^[8][9] His contribution in Kannada spans such fields as poetry, prosody, grammar, vocabulary. These writings have become standard authorities and their importance for the study of Kannada language is acknowledged by all. His comprehensive work on poetics is Kavyavalokana, on grammar Karnataka-Bhashabhushana, a lexicon called Vastukosa giving Kannada equivalents of Sanskrit words was his effort. Nagavarma II was the teacher (guru) of another great scholar Janna later to adorn the Hoysala court.^[10]

Shantinatha who was patronised by King Somesvara II wrote the poem Sukumaracharita in 1068^[11] Kirtivarma, younger brother of Vikramaditya VI wrote Govaidya the earliest writing in Kannada on veterinery science. The writing also is about medicine and magic.^[12] Karnaparya (1145) wrote on the life of 22nd Tirthankara in his Neminathapurana in champu style including details of the Mahabharata and Lord Krishna.^[4] Nayasena wrote Dharmamritha and Brahmashiva who earned the title Kavichakravarti from Vikramaditya VI wrote Samayaparikshe in 1125 in which he seeks to prove the virtues of Jainsim as superior.^[12] Advaita saint Nagavarmacharya of Banavasi patronised by Western Ganga king Udayatidya, a feudatory of Somesvara II wrote Chandrachudamanisataka a writing on ethics of renuncitation.^[5] Ministers like Durgasimha, patronised by Jayasimha II wrote Panchatantra in champu style based on Gunadhyas Brihatkatha. Chavundaraya II, a Brahmin Advaita Saiva protege of King Jayasimha II wrote Lokoparaka (1025), an encyclopedia on various subjects such as guide to daily life, astronomy, astrology, sculpture, construction, omens, divination of water, medicinal herms, perfumes, cookery and toxicology.^[5] Udayadityalankara (1150) is attributed to a Chola prince of those times who went by the name Udayaditya.^[4]

A major development of this period was poetry/literature in the form of Vachana.^[13] Devara Dasimayya, who wroteVachanas belonged to this period. Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi^[14] and Allama Prabhu were the greatest Virashaiva poets of this time. Other well known writers were Chenna Basava, Siddharama, Prabhudeva and others.^[13] In a galaxy of over two hundred Vachana writers, more than thirty were women.^[15] Inscriptions mention a Bahurupi Chaudayya, a Vachanakara (writer of Vachana poems) who was well known for his histrionic talent while reciting his poems and a Mokari Baramayya who is described as a "Brahma" (creator) of all arts with knowledge and talent in singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.^[12]

[edit] Sanskrit

The Chalukya rulers of Kalyani gave encouragement to Sanskrit scholars.^[16] Famous among them were the Jain scholar Vadiraja who wrote Yashodharacharitam, Parshvanatha Charitam, Nyayavinishchayatika, a commentary on Akalankas called Nyayavinishchaya, two epics and a writing on logic called Pramanathraya.^[16]Kashmiri poet Bilhana immortalized the name of his patron Vikramaditya VI through his Vikramankadeva Charitha.^[17] Vijnaneshwara achieved fame by writing Asaucadasaka and Mitakshara a book on Hindu law.^[18]

Somesvara III was a great scholar and complied an encyclopedia of all arts and sciences called Manasollasa (also known as Abhilashithartha Chintamani, 1130).^[19] Vidyamadhava patronised by Somesvara III wrote Parvati Rukminiya where each verse carries two meanings, one narrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati while the other, the marriage of Lord Krishna and Rukmini. Kaviraja Madhava Bhatta in the court of Kadamba Kamadeva wrote Raghava Pandaviya, a narration of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata and Parijataharana in ten cantos on a well known episode from the legends of Lord Krishna.^[17] A student of Vijnaneshwara called Narayana wrote an independent digest on civil law called Vyavaharasiromani which is only partially available.^[20] Jagadhekamalla II wrote Sangithachudamani a work on music in five chapters, Parashvadeva patronised by King Somesvara III wrote Sangithasamayasara, Mitasagara and Dayapala were two well known scholars who wrote Rupasiffhi^[16]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. [1955] (2002). A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-560686-8.  Kamath, Suryanath U. [1980] (2001). A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 809-5179. OCLC 7796041.  Narasimhacharya, R [1988] (1988). History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Penguin Books. ISBN 81-206-0303-6.  Rice, E.P. [1921] (1982). Kannada Literature. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 8120600630.  Arthikaje. Chalukyas of Kalyani. History of karnataka. OurKarnataka.Com. Retrieved on 2006-12-31.